How to Create an Enchanting April
Welcome to Ink-Stained Compass, the weekly newsletter of poet and witch, Caitlin Gemmell. If you enjoy this post, please consider hitting the ❤️so more people can find these newsletters or support me with a small donation here. Thank you so much.
And so, we usher in April. The light is soft and dreamlike as I write this letter. Birds are competing to sing the loudest song. An intriguing scent comprised of daffodils, hyacinths, and lake air is carried in through the open window.
Spring is my favorite season of all. It is the season that suits my joyful leonine heart. And it is the season (other than autumn) in which I find the most creative inspiration. The world quickens as the last of winter’s ice thaws and the streams flow once more.
Two of my poems are publishing this spring, one in a paid publication, which is always exciting and makes me feel more like a “proper” writer. I’ll share more details as soon as I can and will update my published poems list soon.
I’m also deeply immersed in the world of fairy tales thanks to
Graduate Certificate course at Pacifica Graduate Institute, that I am deeply honored and privileged to take. This was a last-minute decision, as I registered literally the day before the program began, and I can thank the universe for nudging me in this direction. is also teaching a fairy tale course this spring, centered around Beauty and the Beast fairy tales.Sometimes the universe opens doors for us in unexpected ways. At first, I was frustrated that I couldn’t register for all the courses I wanted to take as part of my MLIS program. I love my university, but it’s been exceedingly frustrating to register for courses each semester and find that half the courses that I’m supposed to take according to my academic plan and the program requirements aren’t actually available.
But, once I leaned into acceptance of the situation, this Graduate Certificate Course in fairy tales practically fell in my lap. If I had registered for a full load of classes for my MLIS program, I wouldn’t have had the time and energy to pursue Sharon Blackie’s course that is so deeply aligned with my soul’s purpose.
Things always happen for a reason. That is my philosophy, and I’m sticking to it. 😊
Have you had any moments lately in which frustrating situations were actually the universe’s way of opening a new door for you?
That update was longer than I had intended. Thank you for reading through it. And now, for the list of ways to make April a magical month. At the end, I have also shared some recommendations. Enjoy!
How to Create an Enchanting April
Forage for wild edibles. Many can be found in your very own backyard. My son and I have already discovered the first spring onions, dandelion greens, and violet leaves. Make it more whimsical by placing your foraged finds in a charming basket. We have a handmade basket that serves as our foraging basket.
Make sugared violets as a special treat. Here’s a simple recipe.
Visit a thrift shop for a thick blanket, preferably made of wool, to be used as a picnic blanket. Plan an afternoon picnic, maybe to a special place where you can sit and watch the sunset.
Become a tourist of your hometown for a weekend. Pretend you are expecting out-of-town guests and plan where you would take them, then go to those places yourself. Try to see your hometown from a different perspective. What is interesting about where you live? What are the highlights? Are there hidden treasures you are only jus discovering?
Borrow my morning ritual of making a different smoothie every day. It’s so much fun to experiment with different ingredients.
Walk in the rain and then come home to a decadent cup of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows and a cozy blanket.
Write a letter to someone you love. Tuck in some of the first spring flowers that you pressed between pages of a book.
Make a springtime tea blend. This could be one way of adding some of the wild foraged plants you found. Always forage responsibly and make sure you are 100% sure you can properly identify each plant.
Join a local birdwatching group or get some identification guides and binoculars and make it a solo project to identify at least 20 different kinds of birds.
Spend time in your garden. Plant things in pots if you don’t have garden space. Many herbs can be grown in pots on a kitchen window. Plant flowers to attract hummingbirds.
Start a nature observation journal (if you haven’t already) and make note of little things that you notice. When is the last frost? What is the temperature and weather conditions day to day? When did the beech trees’ leaves open? The maple? The oak? When did the crab apple flowers bloom? When did the geese return? Add drawings if you wish or just jot down your observations.
Do something kind for the people in your life. If you have coworkers, surprise them with pastries from a local bakery. Get up early to set the table and make a lovely breakfast for your family. Put together a jar of homemade granola tied with a fancy ribbon for your neighbor.
Visit your local library and leave with a tote bag full of books.
Local coffee shops often have seasonal drinks. Visit yours and try something new. One of my favorite coffee shops has local syrup made with things like elderflowers. Italian sodas are one of my favorite spring/summer drinks.
Learn a new skill that will help you be more eco-friendly. This could be how to darn your own socks, how to mend clothing, the best ways of composting, something related to permaculture, recipes for homemade housecleaning products, etc.
Discover a new hobby. Make a list of things you’ve always wanted to try and make a commitment to learn at least one thing from your list.
Make simple changes to your home to make it more springlike. Place a bouquet of spring flowers in a window, cover your sofa cushions in cheerful spring fabric, add uplifting essential oils to a diffuser, simmer citrus peels on the stovetop, arrange books with pastel-colored spines on your coffee table.
On a warm day, treat yourself to a summery dessert, like Eton Mess.
For my fellow romantic-hearted ladies, unearth your white dresses and layer them with cozy cardigans. Embrace the season of layered clothing.
Treat yourself to a tarot reading for a hint of magic and guidance from the universe. My three-card reading complete with a short distance energy healing is quite popular at the moment.
Get a pocket-sized book of poetry and carry it with you always.
Ditch digital as much as possible and return to a slower and more mindful way of organizing life. I use my paper diary for recording appointments and keeping track of client sessions, etc. Somehow, the physical act of writing things in my paper planner with a pen or pencil makes them more real. Does that make sense?
Choose a color, song, scent, and word to represent the month of April. These can function as a compass to guide you and keep you on track with what your intuitive self is telling you.
Come up with a mantra to say every day throughout the month.
Have a good spring clean! Clear out anything that no longer brings you joy.
Just as spring is a season of fresh, new beginnings, allow yourself to move on from the things you have outgrown. Embrace the possibility of new, unexpected, joyful surprises.
Enjoy the little things. Always.
Add your ideas to the comments.
Cozy Recommendations
Escape to the Seaside Theme
Seaside Hotel is a delightful tv series that takes place at a seaside hotel in Denmark during the 1920s-40s. The premise of the show is that a group of tourists visit this same hotel year after year and by holidaying together so much end up forming a lifelong bond. The show is mostly about the intricacies of human nature and the ebb and flow of relationships. Some of the guests eventually end up running the hotel, so it’s interesting to see this shift. Also, by a cool twist of fate, I have a cup and saucer that is identical to the ones often shown in this series.
The Cafe is a charming and quirky tv series that mostly takes place in a seaside cafe in Britain. It is humorous, heartwarming, and shows the interesting dynamic between three generations of women who run the cafe together.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a cozy fantasy that offers the perfect escape.
If you can actually plan a seaside holiday, consider visiting this amazing library in Rhode Island. Redwood Library in Newport is one of the oldest libraries in the United States, and it is quite charming.
Muse Monday Update
For those of you who were reading Ink-Stained Compass last year, you will know that I used to share a Muse Monday newsletter once a month, in which I introduced a fellow creator who I was inspired by. This was usually in the form of an interview, although sometimes participants would guest post their own essay or creative work instead. I knew life was going to be busy with my MLIS program in the works this year, so I decided to put Muse Monday on hold starting in January. While still on hold, I am taking Muse Monday in a new direction for now.
Introducing a new Muse Monday
In the Muse Monday section of this Substack newsletter, I am about to start a new page that is simply titled Muse Monday. On this page, I will keep a rotating list of recommendations of fellow creatives for you to check out. This is a way of introducing you to other Substack writers as well as other creative souls who might not be on Substack, but who create amazing work — whether visual art, poetry, jewelry, etc.
Want to be included? Reply to this email if you are reading through your email inbox or email me at caitgemmell@gmail.com with your name, website and/or social media accounts, and a brief paragraph explaining who you are and what you do.
I will share between 3-5 muses each month. This will be an ongoing, rotating list of inspiring and creative people to connect with and support.
Until next time.
Much love,
I've just read your poem in the Fairy Tale Magazine. Congratulations! It's beautiful.
Thank you for the shout-out! Dr. Blackie's course sounds incredible!